SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap FAQ

A microchip is a tiny implant about the size of a grain of rice. In a painless procedure, your vet injects this under the skin of your cat, between the shoulder blades. Your cat now has a permanent ID without the worry of a collar or tag becoming detached.

The microchip is computer readable and lasts indefinitely as it doesn't need a battery to operate. Each microchip has a unique ID number that is put onto a central database together with your address details.  The SureFlap microchip cat flap is compatible with the most common types of microchips used in cats. Specifically the SureFlap microchip cat flap works with the following types of microchip:

15-digit microchips (also known as FDXB, standard in Europe)

10-digit microchips* (also known as FDXA, most commonly used in the USA)

9-digit microchips (also known as Avid Secure/Encrypted Chip)

If your cat becomes lost, all vets and re-homing centres are equipped with a special scanner to read its microchip. They can look up the ID number on the database and give you a call to return your cat. 

For more information check out the Links section.

*Except those with codes starting 000…, 010…, 020…

For more information about microchips, take a look at our Microchipping Factsheet.

Microchips don't contain a battery and therefore have an indefinite lifetime. The special scanner required to read the microchip supplies the tiny amount of power it needs each time it is read.

Also, there is no limit to the number of times that the microchip can be read. It should continue running at least as long as your cat!

Microchips can occasionally fail, meaning that they can no longer be read by your SureFlap microchip cat flap.  If you suspect that your cat’s chip may have stopped working, take your cat to the vet where they will be able to check for the presence of your cat’s chip using a hand-held scanner.

Yes. The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap is compatible with the following types of identification microchip commonly used for pets:

15-digit microchips (also known as FDXB, standard in Europe)

10-digit microchips* (also known as FDXA, most commonly used in the USA)

9-digit microchips (also known as Avid Secure/Encrypted Chip)

In order to ensure operation with your cat we do advise testing BEFORE installation. 

*Except those with codes starting 000…, 010…, 020…

When the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap is put into learn mode, the door unlocks automatically. The cat flap reads the microchip of the next cat to go through the flap and its unique ID number is stored in the memory permanently. Your cat will now be recognised by the cat flap.

Using this learn mode you don't have to force an uncooperative cat through the flap. Just leave the microchip cat flap in learn mode and let him go through in his own good time.  Simply repeat this process with multiple cats.

No. Each microchip has a unique ID number, so intruder cats have no chance of making it through the flap.

Your vet will be able to do this for you. The procedure is a quick, painless injection of the microchip between the shoulder blades of your cat. The Links section provides some further information on microchipping.

Included in the price (around £20) your details will automatically be put on the re-homing database so that your cat can be reunited with you if they become lost.

For more information about microchips, take a look at our Microchipping Factsheet.

Unlike most other selective entry cat flaps, SureFlap reads the unique number of your cat’s microchip to grant access for your cat.  This means that your cat does not need to wear an uncomfortable and restrictive collar, which can easily become snagged on objects or lost altogether, leaving your cat stuck outside.

SureFlap is the first multi-format microchip cat flap, so you don’t need to worry about which type of microchip your cat has, as SureFlap is compatible with all of the microchip types commonly used in cats.

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap is the only cat flap to use patented low power Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology which enables it to run exclusively on batteries.  SureFlap has been designed to scan for a cat’s microchip only when it detects a cat’s head in the tunnel, thereby saving power.  For this reason typical battery life is up to twelve months with normal use.

The streamlined design of the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap incorporates the microchip reader into the tunnel of the product, so there is no need for a porch which protrudes on the exterior of the house.  The simple two-part construction also makes SureFlap very quick and easy to install.

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap is currently only available in one size. 

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap is suitable for the vast majority of cats, however some large breeds of cat, such as Maine Coon may have difficulty using it.   

We are currently developing a larger version of the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap which should be available in the first part of 2012.

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap is available in white or brown.

SureFlap currently only manufactures microchip cat flaps. However, we are currently working on a larger version of the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap that will be suitable for small dogs. This should be available in early 2012.

If we make a dog flap in the future that is suitable for different sizes of dogs we will display it on our website.

Yes, the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap can remember up to 32 different cats at the same time - more than enough for most people's lifetime!

Even if you exceed the limit of 32 cats, the oldest codes are replaced first.  There is also the option to wipe the memory if you mistakenly program the wrong cat in.

Yes, once a cat’s microchip number is stored it stays in the memory whether the batteries are in place or not.

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap stops unwanted visitors coming into your house.  In normal mode, any animal inside is able to leave the house.

You can use the 4-way manual lock to stop any animal entering and/or leaving the house, but you cannot do this selectively for different cats.

We have had a number of customers using the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap in conjunction with an invisible fence with no problems reported.

Yes, cats wearing collars (metallic or not) can use the SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap without any problems.

Dimensions of the SureFlap, including the smallest area that your cat will need to pass through, can be found here.

Full mounting instructions are provided in the user manual.  You can also download the installation template which you can use to cut the hole required to install a SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap.

The easiest solution is to use the SureFlap mounting adaptor.  This adaptor extends the area of the cat flap to cover larger hole sizes (up to 260mm diameter).

Fitting in most door types is straight forward and after extensive research we have significantly improved the performance of SureFlap when installed in metal doors.  However, in very rare instances it may still be necessary to use an oversize hole to mount SureFlap in a metal door.  Further details are provided on page 8 of the user manual.

Full fitting instructions for all door types are given on page 7 of the user manual.

SureFlap is ideal for mounting in single, double-glazed or even triple-glazed doors and windows.  If you need to have a hole cut in a window, please ask a qualified glazier to do it, as cutting glass is a skilled job.  If you need to get a hole cut in your window the ideal size is 212mm (8.5”) in diameter. A mounting adaptor is available to complete an installation in glass, and is suitable for covering holes from 210mm (8.5”) to 260mm (10.25”) in diameter.

You can view our glass installation video and download step-by-step glass installation instructions here.  Alternatively full installation instructions are included in the user manual.

We recommend using the SureFlap mounting adaptor and tunnel extender accessories to mount SureFlap in a wall.

Full wall mounting instructions can be found on pages 9 and 10 of the user manual.

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap operates using 4 AA (1.5V) batteries. We recommend the use
of good quality, alkaline batteries in order to give the longest lifetime. We do not recommend
the use of rechargeable batteries unless they are RAMcell alkaline rechargeable batteries. 

With normal usage, one set of batteries will typically last for up to 12 months.  The low battery indicator tells you when the batteries need changing.

The sensor that detects the presence of a cat in the tunnel is optical and is situated on the inside roof of the tunnel, close to the flap.  If these lenses become obscured by dirt then unreliable operation and/or shortened battery lifetime may result.  Wipe these lenses with a damp cloth every couple of months.

Operation of the sensor relies on a reflection from the base of the tunnel, which should also be kept reasonably clean.

After cleaning, leave SureFlap for approximately 10 seconds for the unit to settle before normal operation returns.